How impressive is a bachelor's degree?

A bachelor's degree is impressive as a significant personal achievement, a strong career asset opening job opportunities and boosting earning potential, and a foundation for personal growth, yet its impressiveness depends on the field and individual goals, often serving as a baseline requirement rather than a unique differentiator in competitive markets. It demonstrates dedication, critical thinking, and adaptability, offering better economic security and upward mobility, but specialized skills and experience are also crucial.

How prestigious is a bachelor's degree?

Undergraduate Degrees Open Doors to Higher Salaries

According to 2022 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, individuals with a bachelor's degree earn a median weekly income that is 66% higher than what's earned by those with only a high school diploma.

Is getting a bachelor's degree a big accomplishment?

Yes it can be a very big deal if it is something that you have worked for and fits your life and future. Getting a bachelor's degree is a great accomplishment and shows that you have completed a major life achievement.

How rare is it to have a bachelor's degree?

General attainment of degrees/diplomas

Over one in three adults (35 percent) had attained at least a bachelor's degree.

How powerful is a bachelor's degree?

A Bachelor's Degree Can Lead to Higher Earnings

On a broader scale, in 2022, the median annual earnings for individuals with a bachelor's degree as their highest level of education were 59% higher than for those with a high school diploma (National Center for Education Statistics).

having a college degree then vs. now

What's the hardest bachelor's degree?

CollegeVine's Top 10 Hardest Majors

• Electrical Engineering. Average GPA: 3.3.
• Physics. Average GPA: 3.1. ...
• Architecture. Average GPA: 3.3. ...
• Nursing. Average GPA: 3.2. ...
• Accounting. Average GPA: 3.2. ...
• Cellular and Molecular Biology. Average GPA: 3.2. ...
• Philosophy. Average GPA: 3.1. ...
• Fine Arts. Average GPA: 3.2. Average Weekly Study Hours: 18.1. ...

Do employers prefer BA or BS?

Employers generally care more about your major, skills, and experience than the BA vs. BS distinction, but a Bachelor of Science (BS) can be crucial in technical fields (like engineering or hard sciences) for signaling deeper quantitative/lab skills, while a Bachelor of Arts (BA) is fine for broader roles, though the core difference lies in course focus (liberal arts vs. technical). A BS often includes more math/science/lab work, which can be preferred or required for STEM jobs, but otherwise, your portfolio, internships, and proven abilities often outweigh the "A" or "S". 

What is the rarest degree?

Among the least common majors in the US between 2021 and 2022 was Architecture, with only about 9,462 students earning their degree in the major. The area of study focuses on engineering, art, drawing, designing, the theory of design, layouts, and the history of architecture.

Are bachelor's degrees worth it anymore?

College is a good investment

California workers with a bachelor's degree earn a median annual wage of $90,000; only 5 percent of workers without a high school diploma and 12 percent of those whose highest level of education is a high school diploma earn as much.

How many millionaires have a bachelor's degree?

No. Eighty-eight percent of millionaires have a university degree.

Is $70,000 a good salary out of college?

A good starting salary out of college is typically between $50,000 and $70,000. Majors like computer science, engineering, and business often land on the higher end, while education, social sciences, or the arts may start lower. That said, “good” depends on your field, cost of living, and career goals.

Why is Gen Z not going to college?

Gen Z is questioning college due to sky-high costs, massive student debt, and a shaky job market where degrees don't guarantee success, leading many to explore lucrative alternatives like trade schools, entrepreneurship, or acquiring digital skills, valuing direct career entry and financial independence over traditional four-year paths. They see past generations struggling with loans and uncertain job prospects, shifting focus to better Return on Investment (ROI), with many regretting college or seeking more practical, cheaper education. 

What is the most valuable bachelor's degree?

20 Highest Paying Bachelor's Degrees of 2025

• Computer Science/Software Development.
• Engineering.
• Finance.
• Nursing.
• Business Administration.
• Construction Management.
• Data Science.
• Human Resource Management.

What job pays $400,000 a year without a degree?

Yes, jobs paying over $400,000 without a college degree exist, with Walmart Store Managers being a prominent example due to increased bonuses and stock, while other high earners include roles in enterprise tech sales, commercial real estate, high-level trades (like nuclear operators, air traffic controllers), and self-made entrepreneurs/influencers, all relying on high skill, performance, and market demand, not just degrees, according to sources from Tallo and The Wall Street Journal. 

What degrees is Gen Z getting?

The big reveal… what are the most popular majors we're seeing?

• Business administration & management. ...
• Engineering & computer science. ...
• Nursing. ...
• Environmental science. ...
• Sociology. ...
• Education.

Is getting a bachelor's degree a big deal?

Having a bachelor's degree opens up rewarding opportunities that might have otherwise been inaccessible. For example, college graduates see 57% more job opportunities than non-graduates. A degree enables you to qualify for these additional opportunities and offers you more flexibility in where you choose to work.

Can you make $100,000 a year without a degree?

Yes, earning $100,000 a year without a degree is achievable, especially in skilled trades, tech, sales, and specialized fields, by focusing on certifications, experience, apprenticeships, or business ownership, as many roles now value practical skills over formal degrees. Paths include elevator technician, electrician, HVAC technician, IT professional, sales manager, construction manager, air traffic controller, and real estate broker, often requiring specialized training, certifications (like CompTIA, Six Sigma), or building expertise through experience or bootcamps. 

What is the most regretted degree?

The most regretted college degrees often fall under humanities and communication fields, with Journalism topping the list (around 87% regret), followed by Sociology, Liberal Arts, and Communications, primarily due to concerns about job prospects and lower earning potential compared to quantitative or STEM fields like Computer Science and Engineering, which are among the least regretted. Other highly regretted majors include Education, Marketing, and Biology.
 

What degrees are actually worth getting in 2025?

STEM degrees, especially in engineering, computer science, and mathematics, lead across all key employment metrics, offering low unemployment rates, high starting salaries, and long-term demand. Healthcare fields also rank highly, with nursing topping the list due to its exceptional job security and national demand.

What is the least respected degree?

Degrees in drama/theatre, music, fine arts, and religious studies are often recogonized as the least respected degrees due to their lower starting salaries and limited career prospects. However, the term “least respected” is quite subjective, and the real condition can vary depending on the individuals and industries.

What are the top 3 hardest degrees?

What are the hardest degree subjects? The hardest degree subjects are Aerospace Engineering, Law, Chartered Accountancy, Architecture, Chemistry, Medicine, Pharmacy, Psychology, Statistics, Nursing, Physics, Astrophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Astronomy, and Dentistry.

Should I put BA on my resume?

Here's how to list a bachelor's degree on a resume: Provide the school name, degree type (e.g., Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science), your major area of study, the name of and your graduation date. Add projects and coursework for a boost.

What degree is lowest to highest?

The standard order of college degrees from lowest to highest is: Associate Degree, followed by a Bachelor's Degree, then a Master's Degree, and finally a Doctoral Degree, with each step representing a higher level of specialized knowledge, deeper study, and increased requirements. 

Is a BA or BS more respected?

Neither a Bachelor of Arts (BA) nor a Bachelor of Science (BS) is inherently more respected; they are equally valuable degrees, but their difference lies in curriculum focus, with BS degrees often emphasizing math/science/technical skills (lab work, deeper focus) and BA degrees offering broader liberal arts/humanities, though the specific prestige depends on the major, university, your career goals, and the specific courses you took, not just the letter suffix. Employers and grad schools care more about your grades, experiences (like internships), and the rigor of your coursework within your chosen field, notes this Quora post and this SoFi article.